AU757248B2 - A piece of furniture - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant/s: Annie Georgeson Design Pty Limited Actual Inventor/s: lan William Bailey Address for Service: BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS 60 MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 Invention Title: "A PIECE OF FURNITURE" Details of Associated Provisional Application No. PP4865 dated 24 JUL 1998 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 22581.00 The present invention relates to furniture and in particular to a piece of furniture.

The invention has been developed primarily as out-door furniture and in particular a table and a chair for out-door use and will be described hereinafter with reference to that application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that particular application and is also suitable for other items of furniture for both in and outdoors use.

To be appropriate for sustained outdoor use, furniture such as tables and/or chairs must be robust and durable. This is particularly so in regions where more extreme weather conditions are experienced. Furniture of this type is heavy and, accordingly, difficult to ooooo 10 move. Moreover, maintenance can be expensive.

A known alternative is light weight portable tables and/or chairs. These pieces of furniture are often made from plastics or light gauge metal. Generally, the furniture can be disassembled or collapsed and easily transported between sites. However, in the case of plastics the assembled furniture lacks the necessary long term strength and stiffness and, in oo o use, is easily disturbed. The furniture of this type which is made from metal include a large number of moving parts which are prone to wear.- It is an object of the present invention, at least in the preferred embodiment, to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of these disadvantages of the prior art.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a piece of furniture including: a substantially planar platform for supporting objects a predetermined distance above a given surface;

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It, -3two leg assemblies extending between respective first ends adjacent the platform and respective second ends for engagement with the surface to maintain the platform at the predetermined distance from the surface; two engagement formations extending from the platform for receiving respective first ends; spacer means engaged with the leg assemblies at respective first anchor points intermediate the first and second ends for maintaining the second ends in a spaced apart i' configuration; and tensioning means extending from the assemblies for biasing the first ends into secure oooo• 10 engagement with respective engagement formations.

In one embodiment the tensioning means extends from a position at or proximate respective first ends to the spacer means.

In another embodiment the tensioning means extends from a position at or proximate ~respective first ends of one leg assembly to a second anchor point on the other leg".

assembly, each second point being intermediate the first anchor point and the first end of that leg assembly.

In one embodiment each leg assembly is a single leg extending between the first and second ends.

In another embodiment each leg assembly includes two legs extending between respective first and second ends and a leg strut extending between the two legs for maintaining the legs in a fixed spaced apart configuration.

Preferably the spacer means includes a spacer strut which extends between respective leg struts.

-4- Preferably the tensioning means extends between the first end of both legs of each leg assembly and the spacer strut.

Preferably, also, the tensioning means includes two separate tensioning devices, each tensioning device including: a cable extending between two ends; securing formations engaged with respective ends of the cable for cooperating with complementary formations at the first ends of the legs of one of the respective leg :...assemblies; and 0**000 S•calan adjustment means secured at one end to the spacer strut and at the other end to the 010 cable intermediate the two ends of the cable for selectively varying the tension of the cable.

In one preferred embodiment the piece of furniture includes two said platforms extending in respective planes which intersect each other.

Preferably in this case, the respective engagement formations extending from one of the platforms are effective for receiving respective parts of the first ends of respective leg assemblies and the respective engagement formations extending from the other platform are effective for receiving other parts of the first ends of respective leg assemblies.

Preferably one of the legs of each leg assembly has a first and a second leg portion each having two ends, one end of the first portion being joined to one end of the second portion at a joint, the portions extending at an angle with respect to each other, the first end of each leg assembly including that end of a respective second portion distal from said joint and the -second end of each leg assembly including that end of a respective first portion distal from said joint.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a piece of furniture of the kind including a substantially planar platform, at least two spaced apart engagement formations extending from the platform and two leg assemblies each having a first end and a second end, the method including the steps of: bringing the first end of respective leg assemblies into, engagement with the engagement formations; maintaining the second ends of the leg assemblies in a spaced apart configuration with spacer means extending between and engaging the leg assemblies at respective first anchor points located intermediate the first and second ends; and tensioning the first ends into secure engagement with respective engagement formations.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: S"OV"• Figure 1 is a side elevation of a table according to the present invention; o0 6 Figure 2 is a plan view of the table of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a plan view of the table of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of a table of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2; Figure 5 is an end view of a leg assembly of the table of Figure 1; o• Figure 6 is an end view of the centre frame of the table of Figure 1; Figure 7 is aplan view of the spacer strut of the table of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a side view of the spacer strut of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an enlarged view of detail A of Figure 8;.

Figure 10 is a plan view of an end engagement formation for the table of Figure 1; Figure 11 is a plan view of a centre engagement formation for the table of Figure 1; Figure 12 is a side elevation of the end formation in engagement with a plurality of slats; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the engagement formation of Figure 10 shown in engagement with a leg assembly; Figure 14 is a top view of a slat of a table of Figure 1; Figure 15 shows a plurality of the slats of Figure 14 arranged in a parallel configuration; Figure 16 is an enlarged view of detail B of Figure Figure 17 is a perspective view of the slats of Figure 15 with the engagement formation appropriately placed; Figure 18 is an enlarged view of detail C of Figure 17; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the table with the centre frame; .Figure 20 is an enlarged view of detail D of Figure 19; Figure 21 is an enlarged view of detail E of Figure 19; Figure 22 is a perspective view of the table showing the placement of the leg assemblies; 15 Figure 23 is an exploded enlarged view of detail F of Figure 22; Figure 24 is a perspective view of the table of Figure 1 in an inverted configuration in a fully assembled state; Figure 25 is an enlarged view of detail G of Figure 24; Figure 26 is an enlarged view of detail H of Figure 24; Figure 27 is a side view of a bench according to the invention; Figure 28 is a plan view of the bench of Figure 27; Figure 29 is an end view of the bench of Figure 27; Figure 30 is a section along line 30-30 of Figure 28; Figure 31 is a plan view of a slat of the bench of Figure 27; -7- Figure 32 is a side elevation of an alternative bench according to the invention; Figure 33 is a plan view of the bench of Figure 32; Figure 34 is a plan view of a slat of the bench of Figure 32; Figure 35 is a plan view of an engagement formation for the bench of Figure 27; Figure 36 is a plan view of the centre engagement formation for the bench of Figure 27; Figure 37 is a side view of an engagement formation for the bench of Figure 27 shown with a plurality of slats arranged thereon; oooe$ 0 Figures 38 and 40 to 42 are perspective views of a piece of furniture in accordance ooo.oi :i 10 with a further embodiment of the invention, in sequential stages of assembly; Figure 39 is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 38; S"Figure 43 is a front view of another bench in accordance with the invention; i" Figure 44 is an end view of the bench of Figure 43; Figure 45 is a plan view of the bench of Figure 43; and 15 Figure 46 is a section view along J-J in Figure 43.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 24, there is provided a piece of furniture in the form of table 1. The table includes a substantially planar platform defined by a plurality of parallel slats 2 which extend longitudinally between respective ends 3 and 4 for supporting objects at a predetermined distance above a given surface 5. Two leg assemblies 7 and 8 extend between respective first ends 9 adjacent slats 2 and respective second ends 10 adjacent surface 5 to maintain the predetermined distance between slats 2 and surface 5. Two engagement formations 11 and 12, as best shown in Figure 17, extend from slats 2 and receive respective ends 9 of leg assemblies 7 and 8. Spacer means, in part formed by a spacer strut 13, is engaged at its -8opposed ends 14 and 15 with assemblies 7 and 8 at respective first anchor points 17 and 18 intermediate the first and second ends 9 and 10 for maintaining ends 10 in a fixed spaced apart configuration. Tensioning means, in the form of cables 21 and turnbuckles 22, extend from assemblies 7 and 8 for biasing ends 9 into secure engagement with respective formations 11 and 12.

Slats 2 extend longitudinally and are transversely spaced apart. In this embodiment the slats are hard wood and are 140mm wide and 1750mm long. As best shown in Figure 14, each slat includes three transversely extending series of apertures 24 which are longitudinally spaced apart. Each series includes three apertures which are transversely 10 spaced at intervals of 48mm. Two of slats 2 include a cam device 25 located adjacent to the centre series of apertures 24. Device 25 is best shown in Figures 14 and 20, and will be described in more detail below.

As best shown in Figure 5, each assembly 7 and 8 includes two spaced apart parallel legs 26 which extend between ends 9 and 10. Legs 26 arejoined by upper and lower leg 15 struts 27a and 27b. Upper strut 27a joins ends 9 of the legs, while lower strut 27b joins the legs at a point intermediate ends 9 and 10. Lower strut 27b includes a centrally disposed spigot 27c, which will be described in more detail below.

The spacer means also includes a strengthening element 28, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, which centrally extends between strut 13 and the slats 2. Element 28 has a transversely extending cross member 29, and a vertical member 30 which centrally extends from member 29. Element 28 is maintained in a fixed configuration with respect to slats 2 by way of a central engagement formation 31 and cam devices 25, as best shown in Figures and 21. Formation 31 is described in more detail below. Member 30 includes at its -9lower end 32 an aperture 33 which receives a pin 34 or the like, as shown in Figure 21, to secure member 30 to strut 13.

Strut 13 includes a centrally located spigot 38 and two opposed half loops 39 and disposed adjacent spigot 38. The spigot is received within member 30 and secured thereto by pin 34 which extends through apertures 33 in member 30, and apertures 41 in spigot 38 (Figure 21).

As best shown in Figures 10, 12 and 13, formation 11 includes a longitudinally projecting base 45 having a plurality of longitudinally extending transversely evenly spaced apart slots 46 for receiving studs 47 which protrude from respective apertures in 10 slats 2. Accordingly, slots 46 include 48mm between their centres, which results in a 4mm gap between adjacent slats.

S"Formation 11 also includes a wall 49, which extends normally from one side of base and a flange 50 which extends normally away from wall 49. The wall, flange and slats collectively define a channel for receiving end 9 of assembly 7 and in particular upper strut 15 27a. The transverse extent of flange 50 is less than that of base 45 to accommodate legs 26 of assembly 7.

Referring to Figure 11 there is illustrated formation 31 which, in use, co-operates with element 28, as described above, and in particular with member 29. Formation 31 is similar to formation 11, and corresponding features are denoted by corresponding reference numerals. Flange 50 of formation 11, however, includes a central slot 51 for accommodating member 30 of element 28.

A method of assembling table 1 will now be described with reference to Figures to 26. Initially, and as illustrated in Figure 15, a plurality of slats 2, which include studs 47 in apertures 24, are arranged in a parallel inverted configuration. Each stud 47, as best shown in Figure 16, captively retains a bush 55 such that one end of the bush is in engagement with slats 2 while the other end is engaged with a washer 56.

The next step in the assembly is to configure engagement formations 11, 12 and 31 such that their respective bases 45 are engaged with slats 2. The formations are then progressed, as schematically shown in Figures 17 and 18 by respective associated arrows, such that studs 47 are received within respective slots 46.

Referring to Figure 19, element 28, and in particular member 29, is moved into nested engagement with formation 31, and cam devices 25 are rotated (see Figure 20) to ensure that this engagement is maintained. Strut 13 is then moved into engagement with 10 element 30 and secured thereto:by pin 34 and clip 56 (Figure 21). As discussed above, pin 34 is received through apertures 33 and 41.

As shown in Figures 22 and 23, assemblies 7 and 8 are then positioned such that upper struts 27a are engaged with respective formations 11 and 12, while also being anchored to strut 13 by pins 58 and clips 59 co-operating with spigot 27c. Referring to 15 Figures 24, 25 and 26, two separate cables 21 and turnbuckles 22 are then configured to extend between assemblies 7 and 8 and loops 39 and 40 respectively. Tumbuckles 22 are adjusted to tension cables 21 and to bring upper struts 27a of respective assemblies 7 and 8 into locked engagement against walls 49 of formations 11 and 12. In this tensioned configuration the invention provides a rigid table.

With particular reference to Figure 26 it will be appreciated that each cable 21 includes two ends 61 which are looped to captively retain respective hooks 62. These hooks are received within apertures 63 in upper struts 27a.

Once tensioned, cables 21 and turnbuckles 22 effectively lock table 1 in a fixed, assembled configuration. A load applied to table 1 by placing objects on slats 2 will -11 increase the tension in cables 21 and thereby increase the locking force provided.

Notwithstanding the high load bearing capabilities, table 1 is easily assembled and disassembled, as required. Accordingly, the table is easily transported between sites.

When used in exposed areas the table can be constructed from corrosion resistant materials, such as aluminium and/or stainless steel.

As shown in Figures 27 to 31 and Figures 35 to 37, a bench 71 constructed in accordance with the invention is similar to table 1, and corresponding features will be i denoted by corresponding reference numerals. As will be appreciated, dimensions of some components have been varied so that bench 71 will be appropriate for its desired function.

10 Some of the major differences between bench 71, and table 1 include: slats 72 which are 90mm in width, and which include a 6mm gap between adjacent like slats so that the same 48mm spacing between the apertures in-series 24 can be used; (ii) each series 24 only includes two apertures; and 15 (iii) slats 72 include a contoured top surface to more comfortably accommodate a user.

The commonality of design between table 1 and bench 71 facilitates manufacturing of the required componentry.

Another bench 75 according to the invention is shown in Figures 32 to 34. Bench omits an element 28, as there is a sufficiently short distance between assemblies 7 and 8 such that slats 76 can adequately support the intended loads without undue deformation.

As illustrated, loops 39 and 40 are disposed adjacent respective ends of strut 13.

Notwithstanding, and as would be appreciated by a skilled addressee, the operation of bench 75 is similar to that of table 1 and bench 71.

-12- Referring now to Figures 38 to 42, there is shown another embodiment 101 of the invention in the form of a table in various sequential stages of assembly. In this embodiment, table 101 includes a planar platform 102 which in turn consists of a frame 103 and a plurality of closely positioned slats 104 such that the platform is essentially a single integral entity. In one embodiment, the platform is of wood, and preferably teak.

Two engagement formations 105 are secured to the underside of the platform. Each engagement formation includes a bracket 106 of L-shaped cross-section and a pair of o@ horizontally projecting pins r07 welded to the vertical portion 108 of the bracket.

S"Leg assemblies 109 each include an upper leg strut 110 with a pair of spaced apertures 111 positioned to align with, and accommodate, pins 107. Lower strut 112 of •°each leg assembly 109 includes two spaced apart spigots 113 and a tab 114 intermediate S• 0 the spigots, the spigots and tab of each leg assembly projecting towards the other leg assembly. The tab includes a hole (not shown).

0o•0 A pair of stainless steel tubes 115 are each positioned to extend between the leg 15 assemblies 109 so that the spigots 113 are received in the respective ends 116 and 117 of the stainless steel tubes.

A cable 118 having two ends 119 is connected at one of the ends to the upper strut 110 of one of the leg assemblies. This connection is by means of a clevis pin and split ring or split pin (not shown). The cable extends to tab 114 of the other leg assembly, where it passes through the hole and then back to the same strut, the other end of the cable being connected to the strut by a turn buckle. A similar cable (not shown) extends in a similar fashion between the upper strut 110 of the other leg assembly 109 and the tab on the lower strut of the first-mentioned leg assembly.

-13- In all respects other than those specifically referred to, the embodiment of the invention described with reference to Figures 38 to 42 is identical in structure to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 32 to 34.

Referring now to Figures 43 to 46, there is shown another embodiment of the invention in the form of a bench 201 having a seat portion 202 and a back rest portion 203.

The seat portion and back rest portion lie substantially in different respective planes, the planes being at an angle to each other whereby they intersect. It will be noted that the rear i leg 204 of each leg assembly 205 extends above the level of the seat portion 202. That part 206 of the rear leg 205 above the level of the seat portion 202 extends at an angle to the 10 part 207 of the leg below the seat-portion. Accordingly, the-first or upper, end 208 of the rear leg 204 of each leg assembly is at a higher level than the first, or upper, end 209 of the front leg 210 of the respective leg assembly.

Seat portion 202 and back rest portion 203 each include a number of slats 211.

Respective engagement formations (not shown) are disposed on the underside of the *oo.

seat portion and the rear of the back rest portion. These formations correspond to engagement formations I 1 and 12 described above. Leg assemblies 205 are engaged with, and secured to, the formations in a similar manner to that in which leg assemblies 7 and 8 described above are engaged with their respective engagement formations 11 and 12.

However, a distinction in the present embodiment is that the formations on the back rest portion 203 engage with the upper parts 206 of the rear legs 204 of the leg assemblies instead of with the upper strut 212 extending between legs 204 and 210 of the leg assemblies.

As in the embodiments of the invention described above, the present embodiment includes two cable 213 for maintaining the leg assemblies 205 in firm engagement with the -14respective engagement formations. However, the present embodiment is distinguished in that end 214 of each of the cables 213 is connected to the front leg 210 of the respective leg assembly whereas the other end 215 of the cable is connected to the upper part 206 of rear leg 204 of the respective leg assembly, close to end 208.

In all respects other than those specifically referred to, the present embodiment of the invention has the same structure as the embodiment described with reference to Figure 32 to 34.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it may be embodied in many other forms. For 10 example, in some embodiments the platform includes one or-mfore apertures for receiving a support member such as an umbrella pole or other shade cloth. In still further embodiments the leg assemblies extend upwardly past the platform and have free ends which collectively support a roof structure.

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Claims (12)

1. A piece of furniture including: a substantially planar platform for supporting objects a predetermined distance above a given surface; two leg assemblies extending between respective first ends adjacent the platform and respective second ends for engagement with the surface to maintain the platform at the predetermined distance from the surface; two engagement formations extending from the platform for receiving respective first ends; spacer means engaged with the leg assemblies at respective first anchor points intermediate the first and second ends for maintaining the second ends in a spaced apart- configuration; and -tensioning means extending from the assemblies for biasing the first ends into secure engagement with respective engagement formations.

2. A piece of furniture according to claim 1 wherein the tensioning means extends from a position at or proximate respective first ends to the spacer means.

3. A piece of furniture according to claim 1 wherein the tensioning means extends from a position at or proximate respective first ends of one leg assembly to a second anchor point on the other leg assembly, each second point being intermediate the first anchor point and the first end of that leg assembly.

4. A piece of furniture according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each leg assembly is a single leg extending between the first and second ends. -16- A piece of furniture according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each leg assembly includes two legs extending between respective first and second ends and a leg strut extending between the two legs for maintaining the legs in a fixed spaced apart configuration.

6. A piece of furniture according to claim 5 wherein the spacer means includes a spacer strut which extends between respective leg struts.

7. A piece of furniture according to claim 6 wherein the tensioning means extends •between the first end of both legs of each leg assembly and the spacer strut.

8. A piece of furniture according to claim 7 wherein the tensioning means includes two eeee• separate tensioning devices, each tenisioning device including: a cable extending between two ends; securing formations engaged with respective ends. of the cable for cooperating with complementary formations at the first ends of the legs of one of the respective leg assemblies; and an adjustment means secured at one end to the spacer strut and at the other end to the ,cable intermediate the two ends of the cable for selectively varying the tension of the cable.

9. A piece of furniture according to any one of claims 5 to 8 including two said platforms extending in respective planes which intersect each other. A piece of furniture according to claim 9 wherein the respective engagement formations extending from one of the platforms are effective for receiving respective parts of the first ends of respective leg assemblies and the respective engagement formations extending from the other platform are effective for receiving other parts of the first ends of respective leg assemblies. -17-

11. A piece of furniture according to claim 9 or 10 wherein one of the legs of each leg assembly has a first and a second leg portion each having two ends, one end of the first portion being joined to one end of the second portion at ajoint, the portions extending at an angle with respect to each other, the first end of each leg assembly including that end of a respective second portion distal from said joint and the second end of each leg assembly including that end of a respective first portion distal from said joint.

12. A method of assembling a piece of furniture of the kind including a substantially ~planar platform, at least two §paced apart engagement formations extending from the platform and two leg assemblies each having a first end and a second end, the method including the steps of: bringing the first end of respective leg assemblies into engagement with the engagement formations; maintaining the second ends of the leg assemblies in a spaced apart configuration with spacer means extending between and engaging the leg assemblies at respective first anchor points located intermediate the first and second ends; and -"tensioning the first ends into secure engagement with respective engagement .ee* formations.

13. A piece of furniture substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. -18-

14. A method of assembling a piece of furniture substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. DATED this 26th Day of July, 1999 ANNIE GEORGESON DESIGN PTY LIMITED Attorney: JOHN B. REDFERN Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS .o S* *I o 1